Know your self. Know who you are not. Accept all that you are. Accept your self as thoroughly as possible. Never forget. Always remember.
There is a difference between being honest and being mean. Insults are only ever based upon self-vanity. Insults come from within. One is insult-ing.
Apologize if mean, but never apologize for simple honesty. Tell people how-it-is and do not let them tell you otherwise.
Do not allow others to change the subject during such conversations which -must- be addressed. Speak your mind and do not let them manipulate the atmosphere to bypass what is important. Continually bypassing what is important will cause for the importance to blend into non-importance and such will become somewhat forgotten. Do not forget. Do not allow others to trample you and then to change the subject, which belittles your mental and emotional health.